2000 Trans Am - the Nano saved me

[lane5515]

The owner of this 2000 Pontiac Trans Am was a referral from a past client. There’s nothing better than referrals from others. The owner wanted the full complement of services for the exterior.


The overall condition of the TA was pretty good but it needed some attention in a lot of overlooked areas of a complete detail.

Condition upon delivery

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Swirls14.jpg

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Swirls42.jpg

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Swirls52.jpg

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Swirls8.jpg

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Swirls9.jpg


The paint had the typical tunnel wash scratches and swirls and several rids – some were not worth chasing.

I started this project with the engine bay using M37 Engine Degreaser along with various size Wheel Woolies brushes. The bay was then blown dry with my Metro Master Blaster. When dry I misted with Blackfire Total Trim & Tire Sealant, wiped down with a mf towel and blew out excess product with my Metro Side Kick equipped with the Vac N Blo 3 ft hose. That hose makes using the Side Kick so much nicer.

Before
https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Engine1_Del.jpg

After
https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Engine_Bay_Done.jpg

Next I moved on to the Tires, Wheels and Wells

Tires - Shine Supply Wise Guy 1:3 and Tuff Shine Brush.
Wheels - GG HD Wheel Cleaner, Wheel Woolies and CP IncrediFlair Mitt.
Wells - Shine Supply Wise Guy 1:3 and various brushes.

Tires were dressed with GG Black Tire Shine and Wheels sealed with CP Hydr02.


Before

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/TiresDel.jpg

After

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Wheels_Hydro2.jpg

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Tires_Complete.jpg

Next I moved on to washing and decontaminating the paintwork.

Wash
- 2BM with Optimum Car Wash, Adams Wash Pad, various brushes.

Decon
- IronX
- NanoSkin Medium Grade Wash Mitt

Dried with Metro Master Blaster and GG PFM Towel

After the wash and decon, all lights/markers and vent covers were removed. They were caked with old polish/wax residue.

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Vents_Lights_Removed.jpg


The plastics were cleaned with M37 APC, various brushes, toothpicks and qtips. The black vent inserts were then dried and sprayed with M37 Trim Detailer.


https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Side_Vents_Done.jpg


Lights – before, during and after


https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Rear_Brake_Del.jpg

50/50

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Rear_Brake_5050.jpg

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Brake_Light_Done.jpg

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Marker_Done.jpg


Polishing the Paintwork

Step 1 – compounding

- GG Fast Correcting Cream
- Scholl Concepts Blue Spider Pads (5” and 3.5”)
- CP 2” MF pads
- Flex 3401, Rupes Mini and Nano
- Wipe down with CP Eraser

Step 2 – polishing

- CP Essence
- CP Gloss Pads – 5”, 3.5”, 2”

The Nano got a workout on the bumpers, mirrors and side vent areas. I don’t know how I would have been able to get some of those areas without it.

Examples of the Nano’s work

Mirrors were both beat up pretty bad.

Before

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Swirls_Mirror.jpg

After

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Mirror_Done.jpg

Pillars Before

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Pillar_B4.jpg

After

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Pillar_After.jpg

Front Hood Vents Before

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Swirls_Front_Cowl.jpg

After

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Hood_Cowl_Done.jpg


Random Before/After shots of various areas

Before

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Swirls_Door_Handle.jpg

After

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Door_Handle_Done.jpg


Before

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Swirls_Ram_Air.jpg

After

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Ram_Air_Done.jpg


Before

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/TailLight_Swirls.jpg

After

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Tail_Lights_Done.jpg

Rear Bumper Before

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Swirls_Bumper.jpg

After

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Bumper_Done.jpg


LSP

- CQuartz Coating


All Rubber and hard plastics were also treated with Sonax Rubber Protectant (GummiPfleger) and WETS

GummiPfleger 50/50

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Rubber_5050.jpg

WETS 50/50

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Wiper_Cowl_WETS.jpg

Finished Pics (It was raining outside so no outdoor pictures)

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Driver_Reflect.jpg

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/No_Swirls.jpg

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Hood2_Done.jpg

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Hood_Done.jpg

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Trunk_Done.jpg

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Pass_Side_Done1.jpg

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Drivers_Side_Done.jpg

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/Trans_Am_Done.jpg

https://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3370/medium/WS6_Done.jpg

Thanks for looking! All comments and criticism is appreciated.

[fly07sti]

Very nice turnaround. The more jobs I see done with the ibrid, the more I want one or both. Can't decide on the short or the long.

[atgonzales]

Nicely done

[RMM]

Nice work! Congrats! :xyxthumbs:

[dlc95]

Very nice!!

My favorite car of all time!

[Sicoupe]

Beautiful job my friend!

[FlyinLow]

Excellent pictorial! Beautiful work. That engine bay is Primo! Timeframe?

[lane5515]

Excellent pictorial! Beautiful work. That engine bay is Primo! Timeframe?

Thanks! Around 18 hours total.


Beautiful job my friend!

Thanks!




Very nice!!

My favorite car of all time!

Thanks!


Nice work! Congrats! :xyxthumbs:

Thanks!


Nicely done

Thanks!


Very nice turnaround. The more jobs I see done with the ibrid, the more I want one or both. Can't decide on the short or the long.

Thanks! I went with the long neck - figured if I needed the extra length I'd have it.

[TMQ]

That looks so good! Turned out perfect!

Did you polish over the "ram air" decal?

Tom

[Dan K]

Great job and a really nice write up.

[lane5515]

Great job and a really nice write up.

Thanks Dan!


That looks so good! Turned out perfect!

Did you polish over the "ram air" decal?

Tom

Thanks Tom! I didn't compound over the decal but I did go over it during the second polishing step with the Essence/Gloss Pad combo. Little to no pressure as these decals were on top of the clear coat.

[Sizzle Chest]

Very nice work, great pics and love the before/after's! Owner should be thrilled with this turn around. Very nice attention to detail...

[haris300]

Great job, you got every part of the car looking perfect :)

Very nice ride. Excellent condition.

[Znig22]

Thank You for sharing it was a pleasure viewing.

[mikejames]

Nice job! What is the Wets you used on the black plastic?